"I'll get even with you, for the hard times you held me through." As I write this, I listen to the recording he sent me when I was 18 and on my way to college. A song of true love only a parent or grandparent can understand. My grandpa is my reason to continue on when life seems too tough. He is a glorious father, grandfather & great-grandfather. He is a hardworking man whose love emanates through him. He has proven time and time again what a hero he is. Watching him and my grandma interact is heartwarming. They are more in love today than they were yesterday. He treats my grandma like a queen, loving her unconditionally and, in doing so, has shown me what I deserve. He has used love and kindness to teach me things I will never forget.
When I was younger, I remember writing a story, something goofy that only an 8-year-old would find entertaining, and put it away in my dresser knowing the first person I wanted to read it was my grandpa. I remember all the times I wrote poems, stories or news articles and he was the first to read them, to support me, to believe in me. My grandpa gave me something I will hold close to my heart every single day. He gave me my gift of writing, allowing myself to express emotions and feelings through words powerful enough to make the ground shake. I don't know if I will ever be on the same level as him. It seems his words flow in such a way, almost as if he had known what you were going to say hours before. Perhaps it's because he is the most intelligent person I know, and I can already hear him telling me, "No, that's your grandmother." He is a true gentleman through and through.
He always tells me I am beautiful every chance he gets. He brings such a happiness into my life when I speak to him. He has never criticized me or my writing in a negative fashion. He has grown within me a love of writing and all things Jets. When he comments on my stories, he truly tells me what he feels from it. "Heartfelt truth wrapped in verbal satin bows." I will never forget that.
How could I possibly give back to the man who has given me something so incredible, so precious, with words? My grandfather is just that, incredible and precious, and thanks to him, I am writing this today. He is my inspiration. With every new article written, I look forward to his response.
Beyond his own marvelous writing skills, he is a singer and songwriter, a true romantic. His passion for life inspires me to try new things. If it were not for my Grandpa Murphy, I would be nowhere near the woman I am today, a work in progress but with a solid foundation.
Watching my mother and grandfather interact brings such love and joy to me. She has told me countless stories of him holding her as she cried over boys, taking her prom dress shopping, helping her find herself when she was lost in a world alone. I will always be thankful she was gifted with such kind souls as parents. Lucky for me, she has their beautiful souls combined and in her I find comfort. I will never be able to repay him for the love he has given me. The support he has shown my family, no matter the time of day. He has given me a hero, a man to look up to.
One day, when church bells are ringing, and cannon in D major is playing, he will be right by my side. Until then, he is a phone call away.
